The Missing Piece in Soap Representation
British soaps have long been praised for tackling important social issues, from sexuality to knife crime and domestic abuse. Yet, when it comes to autistic representation for women, they fall short. While Emmerdale and EastEnders feature autistic male characters played by autistic actors, no major British soap currently includes a female autistic character. This gap is particularly significant for autistic women and girls, who often go undiagnosed due to stereotypes.
Current Autistic Characters in Soaps
EastEnders' Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) and Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman), along with Emmerdale's Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches), are all portrayed by autistic actors, bringing authenticity to their roles. Bradley Riches highlighted the importance of showing both the positives and challenges of autism, such as burnout and sensory overload. However, these characters are all male, leaving a void for female representation.
The Impact of Missing Female Autistic Characters
Maisie Spackman, a soaps reporter diagnosed with autism at age 26, shares how the lack of autistic female characters delayed her recognition of her own autism. She explains that growing up, she had no idea autism could present differently in girls. Seeing a female autistic character on screen could have helped her identify her traits earlier, such as stimming (like leg bouncing) and special interests (like her obsession with Emmerdale).
Expert Opinions on Representation
Dr. Judith Brown from the National Autistic Society emphasizes that media representation is vital to end outdated stereotypes. Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, notes that research shows parallel numbers of autistic men and women, yet women are often missed or misdiagnosed. Soaps have a responsibility to reflect this diversity.
Stereotypes vs. Reality
Common media portrayals of autism, like Sheldon Cooper or Rain Man, do not represent the full spectrum. Many autistic women learn to mask from a young age, making their autism invisible. A soap character who subtly stims, has deep interests, and navigates social challenges could help viewers understand the true diversity of autism.
A Call for Change
Introducing a female autistic character in a soap could be life-changing. It might help undiagnosed girls recognize themselves, or encourage workplaces to be more inclusive. While one character cannot represent everyone, it is a crucial step forward. As Spackman says, to many, it may be just another character, but to her, it would mean the world.
